Choosing to move past the comments on charity altogether, Verity simply nodded and followed Mrs. Devine's gaze towards the jacket. There was a blouse on the table in a state of obvious disrepair, with a likely gooseberry stain on the front and a sizeable hole on the sleeve, but she wasn't about to further offend Mrs. Devine by repairing it uninvited. Perhaps one of the absent tablemates had chosen the blouse to showcase their charm work talents (such would be needed for such damage), in which case it would be an even further insult for Verity to step in.

"I was finished under my mother's watchful guidance after graduating a year and a half ago," she acknowledged. Her absence from society for the past year was easily explained, but the six months prior to that would always be questionable. "We've only just emerged from mourning in December." Verity added before boldly deciding to reach for the blouse. She had to somehow impress Mrs. Devine, didn't she? With a steady hand the hole was mended with ease. The stains, however, would take a bit more thought. "I would presume we will encounter one another more often this upcoming season, though."